Allswede (Former MSU Sexual Assault Counselor) Fires New Shots at Dantonio
Lauren Allswede, MSU's former Sexual Assault Counselor, is not happy that Dantonio said ESPN's reporting was false and she fired off new shots back at Dantonio and told him that he must accept his individual responsibility.
Some of her quotes:
"They don't appear to see the women as anything more than a number, or anything other than a threat to their reputation"
"They haven't been to a medical forensic exam, watched people jump when a picture is taken or wince when a swab is taken ... They don't see the shame these survivors feel -- the visceral collapse, the shaking leg, the knotted tissues, and averted eyes"
"Dantonio and Izzo should tell us how they are weak. They should tell us how they are scared, that they've worried no one will ever love them again. That they have difficulty concentrating or carrying on lighthearted conversation. ... And if you think that's unfair, why do you think it is fair for survivors?"
She point blank says that athletes accused of sexual assault got preferential treatment:
"Whatever protocol or policy was in place, whatever frontline staff might normally be involved in response or investigation, it all got kind of swept away, and it was handled more by administration [and] athletic department officials," Allswede, who worked at MSU for seven years, told Outside the Lines. "It was all happening behind closed doors. ... None of it was transparent or included people who would normally be involved in certain decisions."
I don't think Dantonio did himself any favors with his press conference, especially if Allswede is proven correct. Dantonio has already lied about the whole he has never had to deal with sexual assaults from his players before (unless he is completely incompetent and has no control).
January 27th, 2018 at 9:24 PM ^
You could tell at Izzo's postgame press conference that he had been coached to mention "our survivors" again and again, and he's totally uncomfortable with the situation that has been brewing. I agree that they just see the women as potentially damaging their reputation. I don't think they give a rat's patoot about the women themselves.
January 28th, 2018 at 12:00 AM ^
January 28th, 2018 at 6:47 AM ^
January 27th, 2018 at 9:27 PM ^
January 27th, 2018 at 9:31 PM ^
Yeah, protip for Dantonio:
When questioned about serious topics that could impact your legacy and career, saying "I've done nothing wrong" is not a good step. Everyone could have done something differently and better.
January 27th, 2018 at 9:34 PM ^
January 28th, 2018 at 6:51 AM ^
January 28th, 2018 at 10:49 PM ^
January 27th, 2018 at 9:49 PM ^
I was pretty shocked Dantonio said that considering the ESPN article directly stated that there clearly were previous sexual assaults involving football players. Are we really to believe Dantonio has no knowledge of those cases when the whole premise of the article was that the MSU athletic department was dealing with these cases "internally"? I feel like his statements in that presser could really come back to haunt him.
January 27th, 2018 at 9:56 PM ^
January 27th, 2018 at 10:07 PM ^
Think it's too late for Dantonio to go with the "I was aware but not fully aware" stance on this issue. He's going full "not aware".
January 27th, 2018 at 11:11 PM ^
I think Dantonio is going to claim that Hollis/the AD Administration was behind it all and he had no clue that sex crimes were being swept under the rug.
I doubt Allswede is making this whole thing up.
January 28th, 2018 at 9:23 AM ^
January 28th, 2018 at 10:09 AM ^
contradict it. Unless it's completely true, it's a sure way to get people with inside knowledge to testify against him.
January 28th, 2018 at 9:35 AM ^
But does "We could have done something better" mean he did something wrong???
While proselytizing, skip the part of your brain where you feel superior and you feel able to judge a situation you know very little about that involves people you know nothing about.
Bias is a helluva drug, no?
January 28th, 2018 at 10:04 AM ^
January 28th, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^
January 27th, 2018 at 9:45 PM ^
January 27th, 2018 at 10:01 PM ^
Can you explain what you mean?
Were the reporters not individuals who typically cover this type of story?
Were the questions that were asked inappropriate?
Who do you think might have planted them?
January 27th, 2018 at 10:04 PM ^
January 27th, 2018 at 10:28 PM ^
....the question was asked by joel ferguson.
January 27th, 2018 at 10:33 PM ^
In other words, they were softball questions?
January 27th, 2018 at 11:26 PM ^
January 28th, 2018 at 7:19 AM ^
Do you think they were the usual sports reporters who depend on quotes and access to do their job covering the team? Those sort of reporters practice access journalism and I also think many of them simply do not know how to ask a question.
I would prefer that guys like Dantonio had to face real investigative reporters who are pursuing the sex abuse investigation and have no need to hold back against a football coach.
January 27th, 2018 at 10:19 PM ^
The byline video said that he issued his statement in front of 'local reporters'. My take on it is that business as usual has been predicated on controlling the narrative.
Now, that's going to be harder to do. Doubling down seems to be prevalent these days as a first response (see Weinstein, Wynn and others) until their position is untenable. Then, there is the moment when they step down due to the distraction the allegations are causing etc. (i.e. no admittance of guilt).
It's going to be hard for MSU to 'protect' Dantonio or Izzo. Story is hot and too many non-MSU stakeholders are involved. Fake news days are over in East Lansing.
January 27th, 2018 at 10:29 PM ^
....staee's board of trustees should vote to give them both a pay raise!
January 27th, 2018 at 10:30 PM ^
you know, just to show their support.
/double post
January 28th, 2018 at 12:09 AM ^
Yes, He says, "I will only take two questions" as some weird and arbitrary concession to the media. The first questions jumps off the page, and it was clearly planned. The 2nd one also, given the tone and the content, completely fits your theory. I thought the exact same thing. Also, he has such a condescending and insecure persona, he absolutely cannot win here; even if he is somehow truly innocent.
January 28th, 2018 at 12:56 AM ^
January 28th, 2018 at 8:15 AM ^
It was as if he said "I have been advised not to take any questions" and then saw 2 people who would just help him along and said he would take 2 questions.
It was so apparent that his "comments" had been written (and not very well) by MSU's lawyers that it was painful.
January 28th, 2018 at 9:45 AM ^
That's because to dantonio it's always about dantonio if you listen to any press conference he likes to to his own horn about his last 11 years and what they've accomplished
January 27th, 2018 at 9:27 PM ^
January 27th, 2018 at 9:32 PM ^
Well, it isn't just here - this story has had coverage in the Telegraph, Le Monde, and several other major European newspapers, and I imagine there have been stories all over the globe in various media. Michigan State has managed to become a rather unfortunate name in some remote locations too.
January 27th, 2018 at 10:05 PM ^
An incident is different than a culture that lets this go on for years potentially across multiple sports.
January 28th, 2018 at 8:17 AM ^
It has been a big story in the Washington Post for several days, as well.
January 27th, 2018 at 10:33 PM ^
some chinese media have reported this in lengthy news. But don't necessary mentions MSU, only mentioned the law suit is in Michigan. Most Chinese don't evne know where MSU is. They reported as it's a national scandal this is more tied to USA gymnastic team. women's gymnastics is huge in China, USA gymnastics becomes a laugh stock gobally. Nobody gives a damn about MSU outside this country. And I think this will do more damage to the sports (Women's gymnastics in US) more than MSU in the long term.
January 28th, 2018 at 12:45 AM ^
only olympic medals are huge. very few chinese girls are in gymnastics compared to the number in US. US women Gymnastics might be down a bit without the Karolyi's but it still has a huge base and other coaches will step up.
January 27th, 2018 at 10:49 PM ^
I was driving around LA yesterday listening to the John and Ken Show - a very popular radio show there - and they did a segment where they played voicemails of listeners. One of them, rather unfortunately confused Staee and said University of Michigan. Ken Chiampou, one of the hosts, quickly overspoke the taped comments and made a point to say "Michigan State University" each time. So it is everywhere. And because some people aren't smart enough to realize the huge difference there will be some people who think University of Michigan instead of Michigan State University.
January 27th, 2018 at 9:29 PM ^
They already have hard evidence that State lied by omission when they gave two different conclusions the victim and Nassar following the Title IX investigation. Expect a lot of lopped off heads and plea bargains in order to minimize the depth of the AGs investigation.
January 27th, 2018 at 9:35 PM ^
filed against the msu admin and/or staff. not saying its impossible, but outside of the mandatory reporter statutes which will apply to a few, not seeing boatloads of criminal charges.
January 27th, 2018 at 9:41 PM ^
I could be completely off-base, but maybe firing a bunch of people gives the AG the impression that State means business, which...... a little late for that now.
January 27th, 2018 at 9:48 PM ^
thats what i was keying on. i do think that the AG might do some serious damage to MSU if they do their job right, and i don't mean that in any improper way, just that a thorough investigation could turn up some serious stuff. my first move would be to get the IT director involved and plum for both emails and texts. texts are much harder to capture and disappear very quickly with the carriers, but i'm thinking the AG might have the swat to recover them. we'll see.
January 27th, 2018 at 10:06 PM ^
If the AG (or the special counsel) has that ability to track down texts and emails do you suspect they'll have the will to do so? This is an honest question. Given the potential mindfield (political, social, etc...) msu will be to navigate, do you suspect their goal is to really (really) get to the bottom of who knew what/when and to find out how many sexual assualt skeletons may be hiding in their closet? Or it is more likey they only wish to be perceived as doing that?
January 27th, 2018 at 10:48 PM ^
victims (many?) would qualify. the gist of it is this:
Civil and Criminal Liability
Mandated reporters, who fail to file a report of suspected child abuse or neglect, will be subject to both civil and criminal liability. In a civil action, the mandated reporter may be held liable for all damages that any person suffers due to the mandated reporters' failure to file a report. In a criminal action, the mandated reporter may be found guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 93 days and a fine of $500.
A person making a good faith report is protected from civil and criminal prosecution and cannot be penalized for making the report or cooperating with a CPS investigation.
and those that have to report it include these types:
Mandated Reporters Include: | |
Physicians |
Licensed emergency medical care providers. |
Licensed master social workers. |
School counselors. |
Dentists. |
Audiologists. |
Licensed bachelor's social workers. |
Teachers. |
Physician's assistants. |
Psychologists. |
Registered social service technicians. |
Law enforcement officers. |
Registered dental hygienists. |
Marriage and family therapists. |
Social service technicians. |
Members of the clergy. |
Medical examiners. |
Licensed professional counselors. |
Persons employed in a professional capacity in any office of the Friend of the Court. |
Regulated child care providers. |
Nurses. |
Social workers. |
School administrators. |
Employees of an organization or entity that, as a result of federal funding statutes, regulations, or contracts, would be prohibited from reporting in the absence of a state mandate or court order (example: domestic violence provider). |
January 28th, 2018 at 8:21 AM ^
Your section pertains to child abuse, which would cover what went on with Nasser but probably not anything to do with either the basketball or football programs. It may be that they sacrifice many who had connections to Nasser to try to save b-ball and football.
January 28th, 2018 at 9:34 AM ^
thus the post. i don't know the extent of the horror, but as i've thought about it, it would seem that many of the victims were in fact children when abused.
January 27th, 2018 at 11:05 PM ^
Given the wording of the request that the MSU BoT made, I don't think they'll look all that hard. I got the impression that they would be investigating policy and procedure, rather than cover up. Hope I'm wrong...
January 28th, 2018 at 12:49 AM ^
specificly said that he is not taking advice from their BoT, adding they were the last one to give any advice.